Tobacco stripping and booking machine.



G. M. WILLIAMS.

TOBACCO STRIPPING AND BOOKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-15. 1917.

1 82,,5141, Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

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TOBACCO STBIPPING AND BOOKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15. 191?. I

l fifiwa Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- tin rrnn STATE rarrnntr @FFEQE GEORGE M. WILLIAIJIS, OF ELIZ.AIBETI-I NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO I. LORILLARD COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, 'N. Y., A CORPORATION OF'NEW JERSEY.

TOBACCO STRIPPING AND BOOKING MAfJI-IIIIATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

Application filed September 15, 1917. Serial No. 191,581.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonon M. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elizabeth, in the county of Union and State of NcwJersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tobacco Stripping and Booking Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tobacco stripping and booking machines, pertaining more particularly to mechanisms for controlling the operations for machines of this type, 7

While the mechanism herein described is applicable for use in connection with other machines of this general type,the particular mechanism shown is designed more particularly for use in connection with machines of the type disclosed in the patent to Wl'illiams, No. 500.6%7, dated July 4, 1893,

the mechanism, for illustrative purposes, being shown as applied to a machine of the Williams type.

The invention is designed more partic ularly to meet and overcome certain features which have been found objectionable in connection, with the operation of ma chines for this general purpose, a few of the objections being indicated by the following:

The control mechanism of the patent, for example, includes a clutch structure for connecting the drive shaft of the machine with the dr' 'e pulley. The requirements of the particular kind of work which the machine is adapted to perform are such as to necessitate a more or less complicated form of control, and in meeting these conditions, the clutch mechanism of the machine, as dis closed in the patent, employs a shift-able clutch member having a recess adapted to engage either one of a plurality of pins carried by the drive pulley. Vhile this form of connection provides for positive engagement of the clutch recess and a pin when brought into mating relation, the necessity for spacing the pins on the drive pulley produces a structure in which a lost motion condition is possible. WVith this lost motion condition present, it is practically certain that when the shiftable member is moved to provide the clutch action, ,more or less movement of the pin would be present before engagement was had with the recess. Since he movement ofthe pin into its mating relation concurrently places the resistance of the entire mechanism against the drive pulley operation, with no yielding relation between the drive shaft and drive pulley, it will be readily understood that the engagement or mating of the two ele ments is provided with a considerable clash and strain on the parts. Furthermore, mating relation is provided by shifting the nonrotating clutch element into the path of travel of the pin, a movement in the direction of length of the pin. Hence, there is liability of element movement being had at such time as will bring the advancing face of the element into contact with the end of the pin, preventing further clutch engaging movement until the pin and element have relative travel sufficient to permit engagement to be had, such relative movement taking place with the opposing surfaces in contact and subject to wear.

As hereinafter pointed out, machines for the purpose of stripping and booking tobacco are generally arranged to provide nor mally for one complete revolution of the booking cylinders for each leaf of tobacco being stripped and booked, the machine automatically coming to rest at the end of this revolution so that the succeeding revolution must be started by treadlemanipulation on the part of the operator. This is provided in order that the operator will have ample time in which to position the leaf at the entrance to the machine. This one-revolution operation is controlled by a mechanism which controls the movement of the shiftable member of the clutch, this mechanism being operative to retain this shiftable member out of the path of travel of the pins until the treadle operation releases the shiftable clutch member and permits it to move into the path of travel of the pins. Upon the approach of the end of the revolution, this mechanism is made active to forcibly move this shiftable clutch member out of its engaged position, thus causing the machine to stop.

This automatic control has the effect of producing the clashing action referred to at each revolution of the machine, and,-in factories of considerable size, where a number of machines are in operation, this clashing action becomes a somewhat serious factor by reason of the noise produced by clash of metallic parts which necessarily are of character to Withstand heavy strains.

In the operation of these machines it is alsodesirable to provide for stoppage of the machine at intermediate points during the revolution, due to the fact that it is, in the majority of cases, necessary to straighten out the body of the leaf before it is passed into the machine, this straightening being oftentimes required at several points in the length of the leaf. To meet this condition the mechanism is made operative to permit release of the clutch engagement at will by the operator, thus stopping the machine and permitting the leaf to be straightened, whereupon release of the clutch member again permits clutch engagement to be had.

Obviously, this necessity for additional clutching action greatly increases the clashing action referred to, so that when a number of machines are in operation, the noise produced is almost deafening, an unsatis engagement and relieving the clutch structure of the effects of the sudden placing of the full load of the machine on the drive pulley when the clutch mechanism is made operative to drive themachine.

7 Other objects are to provide a structure of simple form and of eilicient operation and durable construction.

T 0 these and other ends, the nature of which will be readily understood as the invention is hereinafter disclosed, said invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in. each of the views:

Figure l is a top plan view of a booking machine of this type to which my present invention has been applied.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the same with parts in section and parts broken away.

Fig. 3 is detail perspective view showing more particularly the control mechanism of the present invention.

A detailed description of the specific mechanism of the stripping and booking machine is not given, the machine generally being on the order disclosed in the said patent to iVilliams, the general operation being of the type disclosed in said patent. For the purpose of locating parts, etc., and to indicate the general similarity of arrangement, Fig. 1 herein is shown as similar to Fig. 2 of the patent, the disclosure of Fig. 1 being changed to accord with the present form of machine which carries the control mecha nism of the present invention. For similar reasons, I have herein employed, as far as be necessary, the reference characters used in the said Williams patent. Some of these characters are not particularly referred to herein, the specification of the *Williams patent indicating the particular de scription of the parts. In addition, certain of the moreor less important elements oper ative in the stripping and booking'cycle of operations are omitted, since these elements pertain more particularly to the machine cycle than to the general control mechanism. For purposes of explanation, a brief description of the general structure and operation of the machine is given.

C, C indicate the booking cylinders or drums, these being carried by a shaft D mounted in a frame or yoke F, the latter being pivoted on shaft G and having a weight or counterbalance H, the arrangement providing for swinging action of the cylinders or drums C with shaft G as an axis. Shaft D carries a gear J meshing with-a pinion K on shaft G, shaft G being adapted to be driven from the power device by a gear 10 and forming the drive shaft of the machine, as presently described. 1

L is a shaft which not only forms a sup port for the traveling belts T, V, but also carries the leaf-cutting elements 6, b which cooperate with a cutting knife not shown. Shaft l. isrdriven from shaft (f'by means of a pinion K meshing with a gear J mounted on a stub shaft J, gear J in turn meshing with a pinion M on shaft L.

he belts T, V, are continuous, as pointed out in the patent, having a portion of their lengths passing partially around drums C.

N indicates the hinged table or section over which the leaf is introduced into the machine, the leaf being introduced butt first V and in such position that the stem of the leaf will pass into the space between the cutters b, b, the leaf passing between the belts or tapes and the drums and having the stem cut out as the leaf is carried around on the drums beneath the belts or tapes. As in the machine of the patent, the drums make one complete. revolution for each leaf, the arrangement being such that the succeeding leaf'being introduced, passes on topof the leaves previously stripped, thus forming books of leaf portions on the two drums or cylinders.

As heretofore pointed out, the one-revolution and automatic stop operationwhich provides a drum or cylinder movement of a predetermined length is provided to per- Init of the proper introduction of the leaf. This action is provided by operatively connecting shaft G with the drive pulley during the drum movement required to complete this length of drum movement, at the completion of which this operative connection is broken. Since, as heretofore indicated, it may be found necessary to permit of stoppage of the machine at an intermediate point or points, the control mechanism is so arranged that this operative connection between shaft G and the drive pulley may be additionally broken at the will of the operator. This control mechanism will now be described.

In the present invention drive pulley 7b is mounted on a stud-like member 20 projecting outwardly from frame member B. This member may, if desired, be in the form of a shaft. V

Mounted on member 20 is a unit which includes a clutch member 21 of the friction type adapted to cooperate with pulley h which carries the complemental friction surface, grooved member g, cam element 22, and pinion 23, the latter being in permanent mesh with gear 10 on shaft G. This unit is movable longitudinally of member through the action of the arms 1" of lever a, longitudinal movement of the unit serving to carry clutch member 21 into and out of frictional engagement with the drive pulley it. Obviously, when the two clutch members are in engagement, shaft :G will be positively driven through the connection of gear 10 with the unit through the meshing pinion 23. Since the several parts of the machine are driven from shaft G, it will be readily understood that by controlling the engagement of clutch member 21 and pulley h, the movement of the operating elements of the machine are entirely within the control of an operator.

' Lever s is mounted on a shaft 24 carried in brackets 25, said shaft also carrying an arm 26, preferably curved in its direction of length and to which the pitman m-shown as adjustable as to lengthis connected. Pitman a" is operatively connected to foot treadle 3/ through arm 00 mounted on shaft 3 said shaft also carrying treadle y.

Through the action of a spring 27 connecting the frame and arm 26, and preferably adjustable as to tension, said arm 26 is con stantly tending to move in a direction to shift the unit so as to move the clutch mem her into engagement with pulley it, this engagement being had whenever the unit is free to move to such position.- Obviously, any suitable mechanism may be employed for providing this constant tendency of the unit to move to this position.

The unit may be shifted from this engaging position by movement of treadle y, which E will be in the cam depression.

acts to shift the unit in a direction to disengage clutch member 21, this disengaging movement being possible at any time when clutch member 21 is in engagement. This ability to shift the unit at will is of special advantage in connection with the operation of the machine, as presently described.

In addition, means is provided for automatically shifting the unit to disengage the clutch. This means is made operative .through the action of cam element 22 through the operation of lever F and the arm or finger 28 carried thereby.

As heretofore indicated, lever F is rocked in one direction through the operation of treadle G, this movement of the lever being to withdraw arm or finger 28 from a normal position within the groove which forms part of cam element 22. Arm or finger 28 is permitted to enter this groove when the toe of dog E is positioned within the depressed portion of cam BFig. 3 indicating a position ofthis dog after the latter has been withdrawn from the cam depression by actuation of the foot treadle G.

WVhen the machine is at rest, the toe of dog Vhen it is desired to start the one-revolution movement of the machine, treadle G is depressed, thereby rocking shaft E, and withdrawing toe of dog E from its notch or depression and arm or finger 28 from the groove of cam element 22. This action releases the unit from restraint, permitting its travel toward the right in Fig. 1 to cause engagement of clutch member 21 and pulley h. This movement of arm or finger 28 leaves theunit free to move not only in this engaging direction, but also free to be actuated by treadle y. In other words, the withdrawal of arm or finger 28 entirely releases the unit from restraint and frees it to permit movement longitudinally in either direction.

The clutch engaging movement of the unit is provided by withdrawing arm or finger 28, permitting the unit to move to clutching position and causing the machine, including gear J, to operate, said gear traveling in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3, this movement carrying the toe of dog E on to the periphery of cam B, a position which retains arm or finger 28 out of its cam groove until the travel of cam. B brings the depression opposite the toe of dog E whereupon the toe of the dog enters the depression, rocking shaft E and causing arm or finger 28 to enter the groove of cam element 22. This movement of arm or finger 28 takes place prior to the time when the high point of cam element 22 is opposite arm or finger 28, so that as the unit continues its movement, this high part of cam element 22 will engage a face of arm or finger 28 and shift the unit longitudinally in a direction to disengage clutch member 21 from pulley h, thus releasing the clutch engagement and stopping the machine, arm or finger 28 remaining in position in contact with the high point of the cam and providing an abutment or stop against movement of the unit toward its clutch-engaging position, practically locking the unit against any movement which would provide for machine operation until treadle G has been actuated to start the operation.

In practice, treadle G is manipulated after the operator has placed the leaf at the entrance to the machine, and the machine will continue its travel to complete its single revolution unless treadle g should be manipulated by the operator. Should it be found that the leaf being fed requires straightening out or other manipulations, and the operator is unable to do this while the machine is traveling normally, treadle y is depressed to disengage the clutch mechanism and so held until the leaf manipulation has been completed, whereupon this treadle is released permitting reengagement of the clutch mechanism and further advance of the leaf. Obviously, this control by treadle ;1 may be had as often as may be found necessary during the period of time when the unit is free from restraint of arm or finger 28.

As will be readily understood, the move ment of clutch member 21 toward and from its engaging position will be had either after the action of treadle y or of cam B, the engagement, however, being bet-ween the friction surfaces of the two clutch members, an engagement which can be had without the clashing or noisy operation heretofore present, and tends to relieve to a more or less extent the ar on the mechanism which results in placing the resistance of the machine against the drive provided by pulley 72., thus not only practically eliminating the noise feature, but also tending to reduce the liability of damage to the machine and its drive mechanism. Furthermore, no material lost motion action is presented, decreasing the time loss heretofore presented by the time required to take care of the lost motion,

a loss which amounts to considerable during a day, owing to the many stoppages which occur. i

The control unitcomprising the elements between pulley h and gear 10may be formed as an integral structure or a built-up construction as may be found desirable, the unit having a sleeve-like action where element 20 is in the form of a stud.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred arrangement of parts, it will be readily understood that changes and modification therein may be required or desired to meet the exigencies of use, and I desire to be understood as reserving the right to make any and all such changes or modification as may be found necessary, in so far as the same may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention a as expressed in the accompanying claims.

lVhat I claim is:

1. The combination with tobacco stripping and booking mechanism having book.- ing drums or cylinders and a drive shaft, of means for controlling the shaft movements to produce angular movements of the drums or cylinders for a predetermined distance and for permitting movement dwells at will within the limits of such distance, said means comprising a drive member, a shiftable unit carrying a friction clutch member cooperative with the drive member, said drive member and unit being supported out of axial alinement with said drive shaft, said unit being automatically movable to provide clutch activity, operative connec tions between the unit and said drive shaft, means for manually moving said unit to stop clutch activity at will, and mechanism for controlling the periods during which unit shifting may take place.

In tobacco stripping and booking mechanism having booking drums or cylinders and a drive shaft and adapted to pro vide drum or cylinder movements of predetermined angular length and movement dwell at will within such length, drive mechanism for controllably providing such shaft movements; said drive mechanism including a drive member, a shiftable unit having a cam groove and carrying a friction 'clutch member cooperative with the drive member, said drive member and unit being supported out of axial alinement with said drive shaft, said unit having a permanent gear connection with the drive shaft, and means for controlling unit shifting movements, said means including means normally tending to shift the unit to complete clutch activity, means for manually shifting the unit to provide clutch disengagement at will, and mechanism for controlling the periods during which unit shifting may take place, said latter mechanism including an element movable into and out of said cam groove.

3; In tobacco stripping and booking mechanism having booking drums or cylinders and a drive shaft and adapted to provide drum or cylinder movements of predetermined angular length and movement dwell at will within such length, drive mechanism for controllably providing such shaft movements, said drive mechanism including a drive member, a shiftable unit having a cam groove and carrying a friction clutch member cooperative with the drive member, said drive member and unit being supported out of axial alinement with said drive shaft, said unit having a permanent gear connection with the drive shaft, and means for controlling unit shifting movements, said means including means nor mally tending to shift the unit to complete clutch activity, means for manually shifting the unit to provide clutch disengagement at will, and mechanism for controlling the periods during which unit shifting may take place, said latter mechanism including an element movable into and out of said cam groove, said cam groove having a configuration to permit free entry of said element thereinto while the clutch is engaged, and having a face active to shift the unit while said element is so positioned.

4:. In tobacco stripping and booking mechanism having booking drums or cylinders and a drive shaft and adapted to provide drum or cylinder movements of predetermined angular length and movement dwell at will within such length, drive mechanism for controllably providing such shaft movements, said drive mechanism including a drive member, a shiftable unit having a cam groove and carrying a friction clutch member cooperative with the drive member, said drive member and unit being supported out of axial alinement with said drive shaft, said unit having a permanent gear connection With the drive shaft and means for controlling unit shifting movements, said means including means normally tending to shift the unit to complete clutch activity, means for manually shifting the unit to provide clutch disengagement at will, and mechanism for controlling the periods during which unit shifting may take place, said latter mechanism including an element movable into and out of said cam groove, said cam groove having a configuration to permit free entry of said Copies of this patent may be obtained for five element thereinto while the clutch is engaged and having a face operative on the element after the latter has entered its groove, said face being active to shift the unit to disengage the clutch, means for manually moving said element out of its groove, and a cam movable with the machine mechanism for maintaining said element out of its cam groove during a predetermined period.

5. In tobacco stripping and booking mechanism having booking drums or cylinders and a drive shaft and adapted to provide drum or cylinder movements of predetermined angular length and movement dwell at will within such length, drive mechanism for controllably providing such shaft movements, said drive mechanism including a drive member, a shiftable unit having at one end a friction clutch member and at its other end a pinion, said unit being supported out of axial alinement with said drive shaft, said shaft having a gear in permanent mesh with said unit pinion, and means for controlling the shifting movements of the unit, said means including a cam groove configuration on said unit intermediate the pinion and clutch member, a movement-length controlling element movable into and out of said groove, a rocking lever operatively connected to said unit and adapted to provide shifting movements of said unit, and means for rocking said lever, said means being adapted to provide lever movements in one direction automatically and movements in the opposite direction manually.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE M. WILLIAMS.

cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C. 

